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About 200 Harley riders thunder through Brunswick to funeral of long-time friend

The Brunswick-area motorcyclists form a line to say goodbye to Ted Rose.

Motorcyclists travel in a procession on U.S. 82 after leaving Ted, Dot and Teddy's Custom Parts for the funeral of its owner, who died on Monday.

Members of the funeral procession, most of them on Harley-Davidsons, arrive at Brunswick Memorial Park for Rose's funeral. Rose died Monday at 75 after a lengthy illness.

Dennis Owens of Brunswick bows in prayer for a safe ride as he and 200 or so other motorcyclists prepare to leave for Rose's funeral. Rose sold custom Harley parts and accessories for years.

Photos by Terry.Dickson@jacksonville.com The Rev. Fred Higgins, who calls himself the bikers' pastor, instructs the 200 or so motorcyclists riding in the funeral procession Wednesday for Fred L. "Ted" Rose, owner of Ted, Dot & Teddy's Custom Parts, a motorcycle parts shop west of Brunswick.

Photos by Terry.Dickson@jacksonville.com Bo Fah of St. Simons Island applauds during remarks by chaplain Fred Higgins during the service Wednesday for Ted Rose at Brunswick Memorial Park Funeral Home. Rose was the owner of Ted, Dot and Teddy's Custom Parts.

BRUNSWICK - Ted Rose got a thunderous send-off Wednesday.

Fred L. “Ted” Rose, 75, died at home Monday after a long illness. About 200 motorcycles, all but a few Rose’s beloved Harley-Davidsons, left the yard of his business, Ted, Dot & Teddy’s Custom Parts, at noon and traveled in procession along U.S. 82, over the Sidney Lanier Bridge and through Brunswick to Rose’s funeral north of the city.

They left the business in a procession that seemed strung out more than a mile with their Harley-Davidsons rumbling. Those at the end blasted past, catching up with the others. By the time they reached Brunswick Memorial Park, where the funeral was held, the motorcycles had bunched up again.

Most of the riders donned their characteristic black leather riding vests for the procession.

“He was a gentleman, extremely knowledgeable and a friend as well,’’ said George Lee, a Vietnam veteran who rode one of his two Harley-Davidsons from Waycross.

Dennis Owens of Brunswick, a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association, said he visited Rose as often.

“I pity the people who didn’t know him,’’ he said.

Teddy Jordan said his father had opened his motorcycle parts and accessories business in 1974. It was known for years as Ted & Dots after him and his wife, Dottie, who survives him.

Sitting in a van, Dottie Rose looked out over the gathering of Harley riders and said she had seen grown men in tears when her family received friends Tuesday night at Brunswick Memorial Garden. And many people told her they had never heard an unkind word spoken of her husband, she said.